The phenomenon of inner-biblical interpretation can be observed until close to the beginnings of the rabbinic period. Differences and continuities between the use of the Bible in Qumran and in rabbinic texts have been much discussed in recent times, regarding parallel or contrasting exegetical traditions as well as the hermeneutical approach. Parallel to the redaction of the Mishnah and the Tosefta, the early Palestinian rabbis devoted themselves to the interpretation of the Torah, more exactly of the books of Exodus to Deuteronomy. The basic form of the midrash was a simple commentary on the biblical text. The hermeneutic approach to biblical texts in the Talmudim is not uniform, but in general conforms to what is known from the halakhic midrashim. The most important early exegetical midrash is Genesis Rabbah, which has many parallels in the Palestinian Talmud and can be dated to roughly the same period, the early fifth century.